This post has been updated to add news photos from this momentous day in Pakistan’s political history. The pictures speak eloquently of the moods and thoughts of the day. (Scroll down to see the video of Gen. Musharraf’s resignation speech).

Participate in a poll on what might be Pakistan’s future post-Musharraf, here.

October 1999: Seizes power in a bloodless military coup, overthrowing the prime minister, Nawaz Sharif. In response, the Commonwealth suspends Pakistan’s membership.

June 20 2001: Makes himself president, replacing Rafiq Tarar, while remaining head of the army. Tarar is forced out of office when the parliament that elected him is dissolved.

July 2001: Holds first meeting with the Indian prime minister, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, at Agra in India. No progress is made because of differences over the disputed territory of Kashmir.

September 2001: George Bush courts Musharraf, asking him to join him in his “war on terror” and help defeat the Taliban in neighbouring Afghanistan. The US president promises Pakistan $1bn in aid.

April 2002: Wins a referendum giving him another five years in office. Observers criticise the referendum as blighted by irregularities.

May 2002: Pakistan test fires three medium-range surface-to-surface missiles capable of carrying nuclear warheads. Musharraf insists his country would not be the one to initiate war.

August 2002: Consolidates his power still further, giving himself the right to dismiss an elected parliament.

October 2002: Pakistan’s first general election since Musharraf seized power in 1999 results in a hung parliament.

November 2002: Mir Zafarullah Jamali becomes the first civilian prime minister since 1999. He is a member of a Musharraf-supporting party.

November 2003: Pakistan’s National Assembly meets for the first time since 1999.

December 2003: Musharraf promises to step down as head of the army by January 2005.

May 2004: Pakistan is readmitted to the Commonwealth.

December 2004: Musharraf announces he will stay on as head of the army.

August 2005: Pakistan tests its first nuclear-capable cruise missile.

March 2007: Musharraf suspends the chief justice, Iftakar Mohammed Chaudhry, triggering a wave of anger across the country and the first joint protests held by the parties of exiled former prime ministers Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif.

October 2007: Signs a corruption amnesty, opening the way for Bhutto’s return and a possible power-sharing agreement. Within hours of Bhutto’s arrival back in the country, bombers attack a Bhutto rally in Karachi, killing more than 100 people.

November 2007: Declares a state of emergency, rounding up opposition leaders at gunpoint. In the same month, Musharraf quits as head of the army, becoming a civilian president.

December 15 2007: Lifts state of emergency and announces plans to go ahead with parliamentary elections scheduled for January 8.

December 27 2007: Benazir Bhutto is assassinated at an election rally in Rawalpindi.

January 2008: Elections postponed until February 18.

February 2008: The two main opposition parties gain a clear majority in the elections.

August 2008: The two main parties strike a deal to impeach Musharraf if parliament backs the move.

August 18 2008: Musharraf announces his resignation

205 Comments on “Gen. Pervez Musharraf Resigns: Video and Pictorial”

Aziz says:

August 18th, 2008 4:25 am

Allah ka shukar!!

Usman says:

August 18th, 2008 4:28 am

What a man.
Pakistan has lost one of her greatest leaders.

For all those who opposed him, lets see what Mr 10% and Mr Khalifa does with the country.

The balance of power will drastically shift towards PML-N. Nawaz shareef will show his true colors. Coallition will fail within weeks. And this time, 58 2B may be used by the PPP nominated president once again. If I was Pir Pagara, I would issue the following statement

” Buy dollars now.. Sell your house and buy dollars”..

I can assure you, no matter how happy the so-called democrats are, Musharraf gave them a fair election. He gave them free media and he gave them the “deals” to come back and take over. The hordes of cattle that we call “awam” believe that a 2nd karbala took place at Lal masjid, that the sun shines out of Justice Iftikhar Chaudhary’s ——- . But wait until PML-N ask for their favours back, and wait until now even more radicalized mullah’s take the political stage. The government will negotiate with terrorists and it will fail. Balochistan will be victimized even more and Kashmir issue will escalate even further. Pakistani army will be stretched all along the eastern and western borders, fighting two fruitless battles.. Tell me, why should anyone be happy????

I salute Mr Musharraf, a great and courageous leader who made a few mistakes. May God bless him and may God bless Pakistan in the future.

Ahsan says:

August 18th, 2008 4:37 am

Congratulation Pakistan and Pakistanis!

Zulm phir zulm hai barhta hai to mit jata hai!

Zahra Asif says:

August 18th, 2008 4:38 am

FINALLY!…a day of jubilation for the people of Pakistan! Congrats to the countrymen!

mahrukh says:

August 18th, 2008 4:49 am

I’m sad! I totally agree with Usman…i really want to see what the “drama kings” will do for Pakistan.
God Bless Musharraf and our country. I pray to Allah to send down someone who could save our nation.

Haris Rana says:

August 18th, 2008 4:51 am

LONG LIVE MUSHARRAF!!!!
People will realize your greatness not today but days to come.When Mr. 10% would become Mr.110% and Mr. Shareef would do another “Raid” on supreme court.
God Bless You Muharraf! And you have won again!!!

abdullah says:

August 18th, 2008 4:56 am

Good or bad !!!
musharaf is now history. Tomorrow will be a new day.Lets move on.

commoner says:

August 18th, 2008 4:56 am

Buhat dair ki mehrban jatay jatey

Haris rana says:

August 18th, 2008 5:06 am

LONG LIVE MUSHARRAF!!
Thanks for what ever efforts you made for this country..A day will come when people will realize your vision..and the day will come when True faces of Nawaz and Zardari would be unvailed by the time. May Allah mercy on this Country now there would be Zarnawazi to all their pets (Nawaz plus Zardari)!!!!

Toogy says:

August 18th, 2008 5:08 am

The ignorance of Musharraf’s supporters is astounding!

A great leader who made a few mistakes?

Let’s forget about the fact that he ruined the entire country, plummeting it into disaster by sacking judges and illegally removing them from their lawful positions. What a democratic leader! That is, if you forget his textbook fascist moves.

About the future of Pakistan, I am not as optimistic. Pakistanis have the opportunity, once again, to instate democracy in the country. But we need new players, with Bhutto gone, the chances of prosperity in Pakistan are slim.

Rizwan says:

August 18th, 2008 5:10 am

Media
Allah will judge humans based on their intentions not deeds.

Media can not judge only Allah knows better.

Qasim says:

August 18th, 2008 5:15 am

What a patriotic leader! He boasts about defending Pakistan on the frontline, yet bowed down to the pressure of the opposition. Didn’t he say he would challenge the calls for impeachment? In his speech, he made it clear that the accusations against him are false and fabricated. Then why not prove them false? Instead, our “patriotic” leader chose to exit the presidential position with a delusional speech that conveniently ignores all the allegations against him and his crimes against the Pakistani people and state. I wouldn’t be surprised if our “brave general” decides to send himself to the same country he sent Nawaz. What sweet irony! Musharraf gets a taste of his own medicine.

Rizwan says:

August 18th, 2008 5:18 am

Qasim

He gave up for the interest of Pakistan. If it was for his own personal reason he would not have done it. There is a big difference among people of Pakistan. Many Jahal will never understand Great human like Musharraf.

Rizwan says:

August 18th, 2008 5:22 am

Our so called free media.
Free media in corrupt country?
Media is already breaking conversation to show Zardari house. This media will be under fear of their kids getting home safe now. We will see this free media will freely support criminals.

The impeachment would have only prolonged the inevitable, that he did not have the numbers in Parliament no matter how he defended himself against the charges. The impeachment would also have created fissures between organs of state.

Dont forget this man fought wars for Pakistan and then took on warlords and terrorists inside the country. Please respect him for that.

Faiq Shaikh says:

August 18th, 2008 5:30 am

Trail for dictator is only way forward for Pakistan otherwise time and again fauji Dictator will come & ruin Pakistan..at least for a once do this for the sake of Pakistan scandal of Dr Afia selling to US is enough to hang him.

Crimes he committed in uncountable .

Steve says:

August 18th, 2008 5:58 am

today is a day of sadness. Cruption has once again won and the battle of a man that live for Pakistan and the People of Pakistan has left. One time will tell where this all will lead.

I only pray that Our President Mr. Musharraf will be taken care of and that no harm comes onto him.

I am seriously tired of telling you people against him to see what these new leaders are going to do, they rob us before and they are going to do it again.

This is truly a sad day.

LONG LIVE MUSHARRAF!!!!!

meengla says:

August 18th, 2008 6:01 am

The uncertainty has ended. Good for Pakistan!!
No doubt he was ‘sincere’ and ‘patriotic’ but I have found all previous Pakistani leaders as ‘sincere’ and ‘patriotic’–the Army ensures the at least ‘patriotic’ part in Pakistan’s leaders. So let’s not play that cliche here.
Musharraf has been a ‘has been’ since the Feb. 2008 elections. What moral, let alone legal authority he could have after the elections to determine major policies for Pakistan? On the contrary, his very presence was an offence to the 2nd largest political party in Pakistan (PMLN) whose leader really wanted to avenge himself. The new govt. has been constantly blackmailed over either the Judges’ Restoration Movement or to put Musharraf in place.

Add to the political certainty the equally menacing legacy of Musharraf like the terrorist attacks in Pakistan and the global economic downturn. If KSE has shed points it is NOT because of any economic policies of the new govt. KSE can and will bounce back. Let the civilian leadership finally settle down. But let there be no ill-treatment of Musharraf either: Let him ‘fade away’ into Turkey or KSA or any place he may be safe.

And let Pakistan move on. Better trust the judgements of millions of ‘Jahil Awam’ then the judgements of an autocrat. There is no other way forward for Pakistan. Democracy is not only the ‘best revenge’ but is also the best reward.

Celebrate today. For tomorrow may bring what it may bring but today, to me at least, Pakistan is moving on.

Qasim says:

August 18th, 2008 6:13 am

Rizwan says:

> He gave up for the interest of Pakistan.

And who asked him to? Did you? Or did the people of Pakistan democratically elect him?

> If it was for his own personal reason he would not have done it.

That makes no sense. It was FOR his interests that he did it. If he was patriotic, dutiful and knew his place, he would have quietly served in the position he was in. Instead, he chose to rise in power – keeping two positions, made legal by his discretion, and utterly destroyed Pakistan in the process. The results of that are in front of you. The people of Pakistan need your prayers, not this dictatorial general who has more than enough American money to die in ridiculous wealth.

> There is a big difference among people of Pakistan. Many Jahal will never understand Great human like Musharraf.

Please! Does someone pay you to write this propaganda?

Mister Memon says:

August 18th, 2008 6:17 am

Musharraf has finally accepted his fate.

His brutal dictatorship over Pakistan could not be taken any longer. His own army men deserted him. He was left alone because God made him pay for his crimes.

His supporters should take a message and do the same!

Rizwan says:

August 18th, 2008 6:17 am

Qasim bottom line is Musharraf is gone show is better Pakistan.

Musharraf 4ever says:

August 18th, 2008 6:17 am

the people rejoicing on hte day’s events are those who will never be happy under any circumstance and who will be cursing the new govenment in a flash.
the media who was so vocal against Musharraf please try that now with our new “democratic” government of thugs.it was only Musharraf who allowed them that freedom of speech.
he was a truly democratic and progressive leader-so what if he wasnt elected?can a nation of poor,ignorant and emotional souls who would sell their vote to the highest bidder for their next meal or to whoever makes them feel it at the moment be qualified to make such educated and farreaching choices??
i say its a sad day indeed for this nation and we can only watch as what is about to come will happen and the good done in 8 years will be unravelled in mere days by these people who have been proven corrupt and will eat this country and leave its carcass for the vultures.
a golden era has ended and it is a sad day indeed.

BLUNT says:

August 18th, 2008 6:19 am

President Musharraf is a good man and he has finally made the right decision at the right time. I wish him the best of luck for his future.

Now we sit back and watch these pesky politicians and our generally tamashbeen nations to eat each other out with Musharraf no longer to blame from every tom, dick and harry’s personal woes!

(Watching TV with people dancing and distributing sweets, I was reminded of the same reaction when Nawaz Sharif was deposed in 1999. What a farce!)

Rizwan says:

August 18th, 2008 6:19 am

You asked for NRO he did that
You asked for Free and Clear Elections he did them
You wanted him to leave he left

Lets talk about what you will do for Pakistan now?

Mister Memon says:

August 18th, 2008 6:21 am

“This Free Media people like Abass, Kashuf of ARYONE and others will pee in their pants talking about Zardari , They know better their kids have to go to school and their family has to live in Pakistan.”

You do know that many GEO reporters have been threatened by Musharraf’s parties? And did you forget the widespread and criminal beating of the media shown on TV? And do you think GEO just went for a vacation for more than month, when Musharraf shut it down?

What a great free media Musharraf gave to Pakistan. It’s free as long as it sings praises for Musharraf. If it shows his crimes, they are beat and shut down.

Qasim says:

August 18th, 2008 6:24 am

> Qasim bottom line is Musharraf is gone show is better Pakistan.

Have you read the comments here?

Most people regard Musharraf as some sort of God!

Golden era, democratic times… Have you guys been living in some other Pakistan than me?

TAP says:

August 18th, 2008 6:27 am

We celebrate on arrival and departure of the same person.
We praise those who left the scene.
Dead become heroes and living and serving are being accused.

That

Rizwan says:

August 18th, 2008 6:30 am

Pakistani people lost again . ARYONE showing the people dancing or eating sweets. PPP danced when Musharraf came and Nawaz Left.

Rizwan says:

August 18th, 2008 6:35 am

Jahal’s eating sweets and dancing in the streets VS Edhi

who is more credible? Guess what Edhi supports Musharraf.

Miss Mahrukh says:

August 18th, 2008 6:36 am

The dictator has lost. Democracy has won.

This is by the grace of Allah Almighty. Who are we to judge His decision? Everyone, including his supporters, should be thankful to God that he left. Allah made him leave because he wasn’t good and he sacked judges that’s why Allah knows everything don’t doubt it just accept it and move on.

AA says:

August 18th, 2008 6:50 am

I’m very sad and worried too as to what will become of Pakistan now. I agree that Musharraf did make mistakes like in the cases of Dr. A.Q Khan, Dr. Aafiya Siddiqui and Chief Justice but in his time Pakistan was in a much better condition than it is in now. With the arrival of the new government, so much problems have arisen like inflation, corruption, terrorism etc. Now we will see how inflation rate increases rapidly and the country becomes corrupt. Musharraf shouldn’t have done this. He should have thought about the country first. He could have used his power but unfortunately he resigned. I’m so depressed but obviously no one can change the fact. All you guys pray for the best of Pakistan.

Killer Billi says:

August 18th, 2008 6:55 am

Musharraf is a coward! Instead of defending himself, he just resigned. That shows he didn’t even belief in himself! And he just went away saying what the opposition said was false but he escape prosecution by resigning. His whole drama is now in front of the Pakistanis.

faisal says:

August 18th, 2008 7:04 am

Musharaf’s biggest mistake.

He was too lenient, too soft. He should have terminated the Sharifs the Bhuttos and likes with one swift move. Nobody would have minded as everyone were very fed up with those politicians and the Chief Justice Iftikhar Chudry was his pet.

I am sad to see him go like this. The country and the nation will suffer, but that is what we deserve.

Altaf Raja says:

August 18th, 2008 7:06 am

Musharraf killed Bhutto he should be hanged to death!

D_a_n says:

August 18th, 2008 7:07 am

A few observations here…

I wonder if the good folk who are so happy to see Musharraf Go are equally happy to know that their and their children’s destiny now rests in the very able hands of Mr.Zardari…

HOW anyone can be happy with an outcome that leaves them in the hands of Proven thugs is beyond me…but then I am surprised at my own surprise as what can you expect from a nation ethralled in the fact that bearded animals kill and maim the common man while in fact the next common man eggs them on…

and a nation that has somehow convinced itself that what happened at the Lal structure (I refuse to give it the lofty title of Masjid) was somehow a tragedy to end all tragedies….sickening….

anyone ever wonder why the current johnnies in power cant or wont take even basic measures to stem the economic rot that is eating away any chance for a decent future for you and me? It’s because the thugs have all their money in dubai or the UK and are getting richer…
but hey…why think about that when you can blame it all on a lame duck president and simply wish all your troubles away…

and hey why blame the current johnnies in power when you have the TV hack journo’s like Closet Taliban Hamid Mir and Shahid Masood to listen to and delude yourself….

why hold the current lot of PROVEN failures accountable for anything when you can satisfy your self destructive streak by listening to all those in and out of uniform who were too weak themselves to wean themseleves away from power while they served but now that a man is down they find it easy to spew forth about how they were never along for the ride anyway….why even ask them the question that who out a gun to your head…why didnt you just resign…heaven forbid..those are questions rational and honourable people might ask….rationality and a sense of honour long discarded by us as a lumbering ball and chain that hold us back from achieving the nirvana of utter and total failure..
a goal that we have been trying to achieve ever since our sorry inception….

people rejoicing at his departure??!!…..shows how utterly clueless we are…not that I am a supporter…but just out of respect at our own predicament…that today is yet another sad chapter in our history….it is not a good day…its a change of guard from one set of charlatans to another set of proven kleptocrats and thugs…
it’s exactly these reasons that we see a mega plex and a Mcdonalds where an elected prime minister (love him or not) was hanged after a sham trial…

so to all who cannot help rejoicing at the current lot’s departure…chew on this for a moment and then see how you feel…

May Allah see us through our own follies….and may we still be fit to receiv His mercy….

faisal says:

August 18th, 2008 7:12 am

Musharraf killed Bhutto he should be hanged to death!

What are you smoking?

Yasser Latif Hamdani says:

August 18th, 2008 7:16 am

To be free and breathe the air of a great democratic republic… it is an awesome feeling.

I am surprised by Musharraf4ever’s comments. He is abusing the people of Pakistan… the people of Pakistan are sovereign and tis a great thing that a general has been forced to bow before the people.

Also… I feel there is no point pursuing Musharraf any further and creating an institutional clash. The man has finally done the right thing. Now lets get on with the programme … and let History fairly judge Musharraf on his achievements and follies.

Pakistan Zindabad!

Altaf Raja says:

August 18th, 2008 7:21 am

I agree with Yasser. He is a god-fearing, true Pakistani. He doesn’t think Musharraf is a god, unlike some people here!

BLUNT says:

August 18th, 2008 7:23 am

The constitution of Pakistan gives the President option to resign prior to any impeachment…..If Musharraf is a coward to resign then our constitution is also truly the representative of a coward nation!

Lets see what the Adam’s family can do? They are the same old corrupt politicians. We are going back to the 90s. There will be an army operation in Karachi, train marches, looting of wealth, lies etc etc. Pakistan is not prepared for democracy until these people like the sharifs, zardaris, bhuttos, chaudries, khans etc. They are all traitors to there religion and to this nation. These people must be thrown on a inhabited island in the middle of the pacific and left to rot and die.

Salma says:

August 18th, 2008 7:48 am

I am so saddened to see Musharraf go. But he has done so with his head held high and his dignity in place. Pakistan will undoubtedly crumble and i can only hope Musharraf will be nearby to come help us again when the current thugs kill each other off.

oh and someone please shut up bilawal before he reproduces.

jk says:

August 18th, 2008 7:54 am

Death and hangings never brought any one peace. So you kill someone. Then what?

Please focus on making your selves better. It seems as if everyone only blames everyone else and then they say, “oh, if we could hang just one more person, then all our problems will be solved”

It’s funny that the current government is saying, “oh, AFTER mush is gone, THEN we’ll take care of electricity problem, food problem, violence problem”. Did submitting an impeachment form really take 24 hours per day.

The problem was never Musharaf. Our problems existed since DECADES before musharraf even came to power. Then musharraf came in and everyone was dancing in the streets demanding Nawaz Shareef to be hanged and exiled. Now Musharraf’s leaving and people are dancing in the streets again demanding Musharraf to be hanged or exiled.

The COMMON thing in all these situations are an uninformed and impatient populous. If you can’t fix your selves, the government will not fix it self and the country will not fix it self because YOU are who the government ultimately becomes.

Salma says:

August 18th, 2008 8:01 am

I have no wish to get into an argument of words with people who are so far from any realism. I support him and always will and there’s nothing you can do about it except call me names. There. I hope it makes you happy to put your computer to use. Adios.

jk says:

August 18th, 2008 8:02 am

> Musharraf is a criminal and he should be brought to justice.

Then bring charges against him and settle it in a court.

>You must be related to Musharraf normal people don

Altaf Raja says:

August 18th, 2008 8:04 am

> Then bring charges against him and settle it in a court.

That’s exactly what was going to happen before the coward resigned! It’s so obvious why ignore it?

> This is an ad hominem attack that does not deserve any elaborate reply.

It must be true else you wouldn’t sound so upset. I guess that’s what people get for following the Shaitain himself. I would pray to Allah for forgiveness if I were you!

This is perhaps not a good time for him, but for the Pakistani nation this may be a beginning of good or it may be the reverse. I think he would have been fired with the cases charged against him in regards of his controversy decisions which lead to the assassination of many innocents from all over the country including a real sad event of the assassination of “Lal Masjid” and the Holy Quran.
He has put the country in very bad position and his colleagues too. They people should not be given a safe way to run out rather they should be held in the Jails where they have put thousands of Pakistani lovers. They have really damaged the identity of Pakistan and the identity of Pakistan.
I’ll quote a saying here that “as you so, so shall you reap”.
But it is not over yet. He and his companions will get rewards for what they had done in this or the other world.
A stream of tears wants to flow out when I think of his past 9 years which was a real bad chapter of our history.
I can’t express the feelings for these shameless people right now but I wish they all should be hanged to death for their cruelties and that will be the real JUSTICE.

I think Musharraf had took a good step and it is his first work for the betternce of Pakistan.
All peoples knows that what he had done. Lal Masjid, Dr. Abdul Qadeer khan, Dr. Aafia Siddiqui, Stell Mills, PTCL, KESC and many many others.
If some one want to express himself please visit http://pakspecial.blogspot.com and leave your comment there.

Qasim says:

August 18th, 2008 8:33 am

> The impeachment would have only prolonged the inevitable,

You’re also forgetting something. It would also mean that Musharraf would inevitably be charged with a crime, which is what he avoided by resigning.

> The impeachment would have only prolonged the inevitable,

I respect Musharraf only for 1 reason that is His work for the women and discriminatory laws.

I would say he freed the media also but once the media began reporting on his crimes, he became the biggest threat to media freedom so I can’t give that to him.

Musharraf was still a brutal dictator who rose to power just like any other army man before him and made Pakistan worse. Nothing special about him.

Benazir’s death has nothing to do with Musharraf leaving. Benazir was a corrupt politician herself. Good that she is no more alive.

Zardari is the next threat. Mr. 10% might try to get hold of whatever he couldn’t when was the husband of a Prime Minister. This time, may be by being the brother of the President?

Stop eating and serving sweets. Start worrying about what’s to come.

bumsqueak says:

August 18th, 2008 8:44 am

Sad to see him go- on the whole a decent guy who made a few mistakes along the way-sacking judges, emergency rule, and letting this bunch of idiots(man with false hair and man with false teeth) come back. Though lets not forget what he has accomplished in his time. Generally I think he was too lenient on fundas- fight fire with fire. Considering for most of his tenure he had the army behind him he could have cracked down harder.

People bandy about the concept of democracy like its a holy grail- hasn’t seemed to work too well has it? An uneducated populace and inept corrupt leaders will keep us fighting the same problems. A tightly controlled experiment primarily keeping in check politicians would work much better, while fighting extremism and refocusing on the economy, education and healthcare.

as for current events- this just smacks of a vendetta and power grab. Musharraf was the only stable force around. Now that the coalition has despatched him what do they intend to do? Is there a common agenda or even any strategy? It seems their sole purpose in coming together was to do away with mush, there is much more that divides them than unites them, and i doubt the coalition will survive. Zardari as president is a joke, and he’s much more of an opportunist than mush. Nawaz would be a disaster as well. if we’re lucky the fundos can get their sights on them..Enough with dynastic politics and the same old faces.

naseer says:

August 18th, 2008 8:49 am

He may not be a good person, but it sad to see him go.
He is the only kursiwala who resigned and is not killed or thrown out.
The most important thing is what next? considering the crooks in line for the job I would wat to keep him.

May be he is on to something else?

Qasim says:

August 18th, 2008 8:49 am

> People bandy about the concept of democracy like its a holy grail- hasn

aliya says:

August 18th, 2008 8:59 am

This is the saddest day in the history of Pakistan. Today we have proven that we do not deserve intelligent and capable leaders.An eyeopener for all those patriots out there who think they can make Pakistan a better place ! this is how you’ll end up.What a waste of all the hard work done in all these years. Thanks to the media too for playing such a great role in destablising our country. With such intelligent brains in the media and in the form of these sick politicians we don’t need any outside force to break our country apart. They are doing a great job. May Allah The Almighty help us.

Anwar says:

August 18th, 2008 9:10 am

He did the right thing and should have done it a long time ago in a more graceful manner. But…

BUNTY says:

August 18th, 2008 9:11 am

Musharraf is one of the GREATEST leader Pakistan has ever had so far! His departure is in accordance with democratic norms and those who are in jubilation dancing and distributing sweets in the streets are the same who were doing absolutely the same thing when Nawaz Sharif was removed!

Secondly, those who demand Musharraf’s humiliation as a criminal etc., are out of touch with reality in Pakistani politics. Do you really think Army will allow the humiliation of its ex-Chief (after the Jehangir Karamat debacle in the hands of the ganja khalifa) at the hands of these morally and mentally corrupt politicians?

Shuaib says:

August 18th, 2008 9:28 am

Musharraf did many good things for the country in his early years of dictatorship.

BUT… that in no way handed him the license to do to his own people what he did during the Lal Masjid incident, and 100s of incidents of the likes of Dr. Affia.

And no, things are not going to be great after he has left, as we have still many corrupt and idiotic politicians still there in the assembly.

What needs to be done is the judiciary to be restored, and all the corruption cases against the corrupt politicians be brought to life again.

bumsqueak says:

August 18th, 2008 9:34 am

Aliya- agree with your sentiments somewhat but lets keep God out of it…the degree of inclusion of that entity in state affairs has led us partly to where we are now

Qasim:
- Is it possible that anti musharraf hysteria is primarily a result of reaction to rampant inflation, economic woes and people just seeking a “face” to blame.
-not to get into a chicken and egg argument about which came first but our experiments in democracy are nothing to write home about either
-perhaps you’ll be vindicated by Zardari and Nawaz this time around?:)

Khurram Farooqui says:

August 18th, 2008 9:49 am

Soon after September 11, 2001, after Bush made his “with us or against us” speech, I felt extremely depressed because I thought that Pakistan’s survival was at stake. I give Musharraf credit for steering us through those turbulent times. I believe that he did a better job than anyone else could have done. I also give him credit for allowing the media to be opened up, for retiring from the army when he did, for allowing elections to be free and fair, and finally for resigning. Whether he wanted to or not, this is the smoothest transition from a dictatorship to a democracy that we have experienced.

I wish that he had never dismissed the judiciary … 2 years of our country’s history down the drain. I also wish that he had taken a harder stance against militants, done more to partner with our neighbors in controlling terrorism, and had brought the ISI under control. Finally, I wish that he had resigned a lot sooner than he did. I believed and still believe that he was the first person in a long time who thought about the betterment of the nation more than anything else (whether you agree with his actions or not)

As a people, based on the comments on this thread, we tend to think only in black and white. Our leaders can either do no wrong (the “best leaders ever”) or deserve to be hanged. We get the leaders that we deserve.

My plea to you all is to think hard about what you want in your leaders, and then hold yourselves and them accountable. Otherwise we will always dance in the streets evertime a new leader comes and then again when that same leader leaves.

Kiran says:

August 18th, 2008 9:55 am

I’m greatly depressed by the resignation news. How i wish it was all a dream but unfortunately it isn’t. With Musharraf out of the scene now, we can expect only the worst. Musharraf says he hopes that after he is gone the country prospers more. How could he say that?? Doesn’t he know who will come after him and what will become of Pakistan??? What could be worse than this?? After Quaid-e-Azam, Liaquat Ali Khan and Z.A Bhutto, he was the one who tackled each situation brilliantly and never became afraid of the threats. I just want to tell the people who are celebrating now that we all will witness what is to come next and we all will realise how better Musharraf was. Now the country will fall in the hands of hypocrites and God forbid I seriously don’t feel good by the way the country is going and I expect only the worst with this new government.

Umar Akbar says:

August 18th, 2008 9:56 am

From PPP-PML’s kleptomania, to Musharraf’s delusion of grandeur, a sad epitaph of Pakistan’s two decades of law(lessness) ,(dis)order and (mis)governance.

Humaira says:

August 18th, 2008 10:03 am

I HOPE THAT NOW HE IS GONE WE CAN PLEASE BEGIN LOOKING AT REAL PROBLEMS OF PEOPLE. LOAD SHEDDING, FOOD, JOBS.

Imran says:

August 18th, 2008 10:04 am

@ Dictator mush lovers

Find a new dictator pls :)

Good Riddance, Leach hung on toooooo long.

Shaista says:

August 18th, 2008 10:21 am

Markets are usually good indicatros of what people are actually thinking….. interestingly The News reorts that this is what teh market did today.

=================

Bulls entered the market in last minutes after listening to the announcement of President Musharraf’s resignation, triggering across the board buying at Karachi Stock Exchange (KSE) Monday.

KSE 100-Index gained 460.91 points to close at 10,719.62 as turnover was estimated at 158.862 million as prices of 234 scrips recorded gains while 36 sustained losses and 13 remained unchanged.

A dealer at a leading brokerage house said that market was mixed in the morning. However, soon after listening to the address of President Pervez Musharraf in which he announced to tender his resignation, the bulls entered the market and made all round shopping, he added.

He said that all the leading scrips went up in few minutes and upper limit locks were exercised, limiting further buying.

He said that hectic buying will be seen tomorrow (Tuesday) as investors could not complete buying according to their desire.

The market capitalization was improved by Rs 137.21 billion to Rs3.332 trillion.

NBP was the volume leader for a consecutive third day with a turnover of 13.574 million shares followed by NIB Bank 10.855 million shares, Zeal Pak Cement 10.125 million shares, OGDC 6.984 million shares and Pervez Ahmed 6.730 million shares.

Unilever recorded the highest increase of Rs 32 to 2332 followed by Shell Pakistan which moved up by 21.18 to 444.89 while Pak Engg. dipped by Rs 20.85 to 396.15 and Service Industries down by 4.96 to 94.32.

Umar Shah says:

August 18th, 2008 10:22 am

Musharraf has the courage to do the right thing at the right moment. 1999-2008, his record speaks for itself. This shows his character. History has shown that no other Pakistani politician had the caliber to steer Pakistan out of troubled waters like he did. Musharraf’s president no more, lets hope and pray that this government which now has no obstacles, does good to Pakistan and Pakistan becomes stable and strong.

lida says:

August 18th, 2008 10:52 am

I hope these junglee people of ours treat this man with respect and dignity. He mean’t well for Pakistan but a Qaum like Pakistan doesn’t deserve a person like him.
They are Fit for Zardari Bhutto and Nawaz Badmash types only.

Its a Sad day for pakistan and lets see these “democratically elected officials” do for Pakistan. I know the answer to that question anyways.

He was the best Pakistani after Quaid-i Azam and Ayub Khan.

The mullahs must be happy and Taliban are heading towards the capital now.

Imran Khan is the only person left that is honest in politics.

Allah Khair kare

Shuaib says:

August 18th, 2008 10:57 am

As much as I’ve myself mixed feelings about Musharraf leaving, I do have a message for those whom are TOTALLY sad over his departure from the scene: “Come out of your mummy-daddy lives, see what he did to the Pakistani QAUM.”

Handing over your own people to foreign agencies is an act unforgivable. The sole act overshadows any good he had ever done to Pakistan.

And yes, I hate with what we are left now. Mr. 10% and Nawaz are no good either.

Aqil Sajjad says:

August 18th, 2008 10:57 am

I wish he had left with honour and dignity last year instead of insisting on his reelection, letting Zardari and others get away with their corruption cases through the NRO and destroying the judiciary on Nov 3. His Nov 3 attack on the judiciary did not help him perpetuate his rule, but it (along with the NRO) has left Pakistan with the Zardari clan in power and a totally subserviant judiciary.

I still believe that when the current euphoria subsides, and when a few years have passed, people will come to evaluate his period more objectively and see him somewhat less harshly than the present national mood. However, it is hard to deny that some of his personal weeknesses, and his unwillingness to quit when the time had come has done Pakistan a lot of harm.

One other major mistake, that he will probably never realize, was to put Shaukat Aziz in charge of the economy. I believe Musharraf sincerely wanted to improve the economy, and he probably believes his government did fairly well in that department. Since he is not an economist himself, he had to put all his trust in the finance minister, and since he chose the wrong man, his government wasted the golden opportunity that came after 911.

Instead of putting us on a sustainable growth trajectory, Shaukat Aziz used the inflow of money after 911 to create a consumption boom. This inflated the growth rate for some time, but came at the expense of long-run sustainability. Instead of promoting genuine investment that creates new jobs, foreign investors were given overly attractive deals to buy existing businesses and the banking sector was allowed to fleece depositors through huge banking spreads (the difference between the interest charged by a bank from its borrowers and the interest paid by the bank to its depositors). Big sharks in the stock markets were given free reign to inflate the stock index instead of properly regulating the markets to curb speculation and market manipulation. As the trade deficit started rising in 2005, nothing was done to control it, and now, we have landed into a $20 b or so deficit in the last fiscal year. I believe, Musharraf really wanted the economy to be run well, but sadly, due to the bad choice of Shaukat Aziz, his period will go down as a wasted opportunity.

I feel sad, because Musharraf could have done a lot more for the country if he had exercised slightly better judgement in several areas. Compared to BB, Zardari or NS, he took several initiatives in different areas, ranging from devolution, police reforms, NAB and higher education to the opening up of the electronic media (which both BB and NS were clearly avoiding). But in most of these major initiatives, at some point, for one reason or another, serious mistakes and compromises were made. The way he came into power was without doubt wrong (the disastrous Kargil operation followed by the coup), and he also lacked democratic legitimacy. But still, there was a lot of potential, which went unrealized.

Many of his critics, who had a single point obsession of making him leave and letting BB and NS return without making any effort for strengthening institutions have also contributed to this loss of opportunity. It was only after march 9, that a genuinely pro-institution movement started, and by that time, Mush had reached a point when his further continuation was doing more harm than good.

Konpal says:

August 18th, 2008 11:07 am

Alas!Another patriotic Pakistani has been forced to step down just bcoz a couple of “self-rightous” people wanted to play power. Mr. Zardari seems to have forgotten that ZARDAAR means playing with monies and not in money. And the Miyan sahab seems to have forgotten that it was unfortunately OUR TAX MONIES WORTH OF BILLIONS OF RUPPES THAT WAS USED TO BUILD THE EVERFAMOUS SHARIFF MEDICAL AND EDUCATIONAL CITY.Its human psychology k ap kisi cheez ko bura kehte rehte hain n your mind ultimately accepts it as bad or good and this is what we as a nation are doing. I was listening to the city nazim of Karachi on the eve of 14 Aug at a local radio station with a couple of very ardent speakers on patriotism and their previous programmes too and so far what i have assessed is that we are a nation who forget the Lyrics of the Qaumi Tarana the day we walk out of our respective schools and we are a nation who refer to our country not as mera mulk or hamara Pakistan but as YEH JO MULK HAI OR IS MULK MEIN. I ask you all a very common and often repeated question what have you given to this country. Clean streets, did you save any water today. Did you go and plant a tree for tomorrow. What did you do. I have the right to ask you becoz at my meagre level I try to do all this. an let it be clear this was way before the City Nazim pledged I OWN KHI. I saw an honest true Pakistani in Mr Musharraf who trully wanted to do something for this sinking ship and we are a truly AHSAAN FARAMOSH nation becoz we forced a person out to let these tried and tested looteraas loot us even more and yet we never learn from our mistakes.
Well lets see what these so called true Pakistanis do now their apth has been cleared and now they have no excuse to doing anything.
i wish you all a Happy 62nd Independence and sincerely hope we emerge as nation now as its now or never

AKRAM says:

August 18th, 2008 11:12 am

If he had stayed he would only have distracted from everything because his personal clash with the elected govt was getting in teh way of everyday government. So I am glad that he has stepped down. Good that he resigned instead of all of us having to go through the impeachment heartache.

junaid says:

August 18th, 2008 11:23 am

I am not really happy about this but I think this was necessary. Things wont become better but had he stayed they would have become worse.

Khawaja Hassan says:

August 18th, 2008 11:27 am

I have been reading the news everywhere and find no mention of what will happen to him now… will he leave teh country? where? will ther be cases against him?

Does anyone know of any news on this. Please not your slogans and rants, just the reported news. Thank you.

KAMRAN says:

August 18th, 2008 11:28 am

Dear ATP, can you do a poll of who do people think will be the new President?

Kiran says:

August 18th, 2008 11:36 am

People who are against Musharraf now, will repent later when they will see the “kartoots” of the new government. What Musharraf did was not easy, he proved that he is brave by not letting Pakistan fall into enemy’s hands. I don’t think he did anything wrong in the case of Lal Masjid. The mosque was built on illegal property and when the foundation is not legal how can everything else can be right. Didn’t they know that it’s also against Islamic teachings to do something illegally? and when they don’t know such a basic thing how can they preach Islam on such a large scale? Another thing is that Islam nowhere says that we should come into the streets carrying weapons to forcefully impose Islam. The students of Lal Masjid were extremists and they were being brain-washed there which was extremely dangerous for Pakistan and its people. They were being taught the wrong meaning of Jihad same like the suicide bombings and they were also being taught that their main aim should be to achieve the rank of a shaheed, it was like they didn’t want to live and just be a shaheed. You guys tell me does Islam anywhere says that its should be our main aim to be a shaheed or kill all the desires of living and just wait for our death and anyways there no such concept in Islam of doing jihad against Muslims themselves. The objective of the people of Lal Masjid was obviously good i.e to impose Shariah in country but there way of doing that was not right at all. Islam strictly discourages this act that one should be forced to follow Islam but the Lal Masjid people would beat any woman they saw walking on the streets barehead. Whats that?!! I mean helloo do you guys even know the meaning of Islam that you have taken up such a big responsibility. And this all grew up to be such a threat to the safety for the residents of Islamabad espacially that there was a need to take a severe step against them and by the way how could anyone just sit and do nothing seeing that people are preaching wrong Islam and that too in a madarsah whose foundation itself is illegal!!!
I would also like to discuss about talibaans, someone here said that Musharraf killed them and they achieved the rank of shaheed. Excuse me?!!! Again the same thing goes here that Talibaans are extremists. Don’t you know that they dont allow any women in Swat or the North-Western areas to come out of house barehead? That’s not done at all, it’s their choice and no one can force them to do anything and Islam says exactly the same. And who do you think is responsible for all those burnt girls’ schools in Swat? They don’t believe in equality and they don’t know Islam. Also Talibaans themselves accepted that they are responsible for the blast in a market in Islamabad and according to them it was the answer to the capturing of their men by the government. Do you think it’s fair? Is suicide bombing the only way to get revenge? What is the crime of the innocent people who were killed?
So, my main point was that all these people forced Musharraf to take such extreme steps otherwise he desperately tried to solve the matters through discussions and negotiations but obviously these people didnt want that so Musharraf had to do so.

Dil hai Pakistani says:

August 18th, 2008 11:38 am

I agree with people who are saying that things will get worse. But they would have been even worse had he stayed.

Those of us who believe in democracy have to brace ourselves for the tough times. The real test is whether in these tough times we will give up on democracy or stay with the principles of democracy.

I am ready for the tough times because things WILL have to become worse before they get better. That is why I voted for things getting much worse, because that is what is likely to happen.

FAUZIA says:

August 18th, 2008 11:43 am

I actually think that Zardari has shown maturity by not forcing him through impeachment. We have to break this cycle of disgracing people by putting them in jail or hanging them or such things. Thsi is teh closest to a democratic transition of power we have ever come to.

M.W.A says:

August 18th, 2008 11:45 am

We should wait for dust to settle and then evaluate his years. I think that we will find that like all theothers he did some good things and some bad things. At the end he stayed on too long and should have left a year or two ago. That was his downfall really.

Moez says:

August 18th, 2008 11:49 am

Let us not rush to judgment over the success or failure of President Musharraf and his policies of the last nine years. The Stock Market and Rupee have rebounded in part due to the fact that there will be no lengthy impeachment process and are not necessarily an indicator of Musharraf’s popularity.

At the same time do not trash the current government and the PPP and PML-N just yet. They too are operating in a very different world than when they were last in power before the 1999 coup. Recent history has shown that even a strongman can be sidelined by a scandal – as in the case of the judicial crisis of last year. This certainly does not bode well for the newly elected government or its allies because now they longer have Musharraf to blame for all their problems in governance.

I see a lot of uncertainty in our future including frequent elections and changes in leadership (such as PM and President) which I hope gives rise to a more stable democratic process.

Let’s be careful what we wish for as a nation – we might be in for a jolt!

KAMRAN says:

August 18th, 2008 11:49 am

By the way, I am hearing that Afsandyar Wali Khan will be made new President. I think that will be a very good choice.

Mohammad Hafeez says:

August 18th, 2008 11:52 am

My prayers are with Musharraf. he has had tough many years may he enjoy his retirement in peace and in calm.

My prayers are with government. May they succeed in now solving Pakistan’s problems.

My prayers are with whoever becomes next President.

My prayers are with PAKISTAN.

Rizwan says:

August 18th, 2008 12:10 pm

Its sad and I will always support Musharraf, But we must move on as a country. Media and politicians must look into future rather than looking for excuses are playing blame games. How long present Government will get away by saying its the result of last 8 yr Musharraf rules.
They asked for him to leave he left now show what you can do.

Amber says:

August 18th, 2008 12:24 pm

I would like to Salute President Musharraf for his astounding and brave leader ship towards war on terror. During the last 9 year Pakistan had reached it

Kiran says:

August 18th, 2008 12:34 pm

I will always support Musharraf not because he was perfect but because he was better than many others. I agree that he did make mistakes but not as big as others who just filled in their accounts and made the country bankrupt. I would also like to say here that he didn’t do anything wrong by banning Geo because media’s responsibility is to just convey the news to people and not give their own opinions. Who are you to judge whether Musharraf is good or not? Is it among your responsibilities to raise your opnions and go against the President of the country? I mean they are no one to say Musharraf should not have done this, he should not have done that. Their responsibility is to just tell people the true news not their own views. I ask you, would you tolerate that someone insults you and discusses you on National TV? And, instead of getting some lesson, GEO hasn’t stoped this nature of it to give less news and more views. So, Musharraf bravo! you did just the right thing to these people who cross their limits.

Amber says:

August 18th, 2008 12:44 pm

I Absolutely agree with your views Kiran, on banning Geo TV. These channels have yet not learnt they lesson, lets see how much coverage they will give to the present government.

They should be grateful to President Musharraf who allowed expression of speech through media.

RAZI says:

August 18th, 2008 12:46 pm

Prof Najam, heard your excellent comments on this on NPR … Could you pls post a link here

Kiran says:

August 18th, 2008 12:52 pm

Obviously no one can forget what Musharraf did to Dr. A.Q Khan atleast not anyone sincere to Pakistan including me, or what he did to the Chief Justice or his inability to rescue Dr. Afiya Siddiqui. But still I support him because when I ask myself that ‘will Pakistan’s condition get any better by his resignation?’ the answer is obviously ‘no’. I really don’t see things getting any better; no judges will be revived, inflation rate would definetely not come down, corruption as we all know, will be at its peak, the country will go bankrupt (God forbid but can’t expect anything good from the new government), terrorism won’t stop etc etc. The fact that the judges are still not revived and inflation is constantly increasing, has a clue that what could be expected from the new government because all those promises vanished into thin air. I agree it takes time but atleast one should try and i don’t see any positive step being taken to improve country’s condition. Musharraf was atleast much better than all of these and he would have never taken such steps if people hadnt crossed their limits and media hadnt forgotten its etiquettes.

RAZI says:

August 18th, 2008 12:56 pm

Seems like those saying they support him don’t actually like him they just dislike Zardari

zia m says:

August 18th, 2008 12:58 pm

Let’s see the Great PATRIOT of Pakistan decides to stay in his country or opts for a foreign land.
The so-called corrupt politician ZAB refused to leave his country and gave his life for the country.

He should have resigned after Bugti, wrote his book and joined his son at Stanford. But that was not to be, he had to be dragged through mud. Still, it is good for him to resign and lead our nations in the hand of Zardari Tharki and Ganja Shareef. There is no escape from feudalism.

I hope this nation can remember the good with the bad, and accept his resignation with gratitude and thanks, but knowing our politicians, that will not happen. He took Pakistan into the 21st century.

Muhammed Zafir Zia says:

August 18th, 2008 1:13 pm

Mushraaf should had resigned after the 18 Feb elections when his party was rejected by the people of Pakistan……….

Undoubtedly Musharraf has done various things for the betterment of Pakistan but it is wrong to saythat without Musharraf Pakistan would suffer………

Bombing our northern areas and Baluchistan, handing over Pakistani’s to US, playing with the judicaiary and the killing of innocent madressah students at lal Masjid brought the downfall of Mushrraf…..

I donot expect much from AZ and NS as they have been tested before but I hope that they have learnt fron their mistakes and would collectively work for the betterment of Pakistan…..

ALLAH HUMARA HAMI NASIR HOOO

jk says:

August 18th, 2008 1:18 pm

Samurai Zauq > They will blame the next guys. And then the next and each time they leave, there will be dancing in the streets.

This has happened since as far back as I can remember.

Sargodhian says:

August 18th, 2008 1:37 pm

This is D

Rao says:

August 18th, 2008 2:27 pm

General rule of thumb! (About Musharraff) “expect the least expected”
I think he is still Chief of Army Staff and going to declare Marshal law soon.
Kiyani is his buddy and it seems Kayani is over-doing so it all look pretext to declare pakistan unstable state and make a reason to attack it from outside.

Shaq says:

August 18th, 2008 3:25 pm

Pakistan First. Musharraf first over these criminal politicians.

Arsalan says:

August 18th, 2008 3:28 pm

What is this Rao guy smoking. Musharraf has not been Chief of Army for a long time… do you even know anything about Pakistan…. or is thisjust phishing!!!

Jahanara says:

August 18th, 2008 3:36 pm

I think this is a victory for democracy. Dictators have always been removing elected leaders for teh forst time an elected parliament has removed a dictator. It is a great day today.

Naeem Durrani says:

August 18th, 2008 3:39 pm

Thanks to Allah. Now we have two dictators and a puppet prime minister. All matters will be solved in Dubai and London and parliment will be used to rubber stamp those decisions. Parlimentarians should not use their valuable time in discussions. They should use it for robbing this poor country

Allah Wasaya says:

August 18th, 2008 4:23 pm

In a totally unrelated news, PCB Chair Nasim Ashraf has also resigned! :)

PatExpat says:

August 18th, 2008 4:26 pm

I dont know what you guys have been smoking. Unlike his predecessors, Musharraf wielded absolute power and sway over middle class of Pakistan for at least seven years. And if anybody can recall his 7 point agenda, honestly, he has failed to achieve everyone of those objectives. Any person with an iota of self respect would have resigned long time ago. No! Musharraf had to be shown the door. Mind you. He did not resign willingly. He was compelled to resign. Next he should be tried in court.

Why are we afraid of Asif Zardari. Musharraf himself gave AZ a certificate of clean character by promulgating NRO and withdrawing cases against him internationally at huge expense to national exchequer. Is anybody asking why Musharraf did this? If Zardari is a looter of national wealth, who gave musharraf the right to let him go scot free. Alone on this he could be tried in court for corruption. And if Zardari was clean all along, did Mush had a personal vendetta against him as he was instituting cases against Zardari all over the world.

and then we have missing pakistanis case, kargil misadventure, aafia siddiqui, steel mill privatization, ptcl selloff on adverse terms to etisalat, may 12 carnage where musharraf himself claimed, “today we have demonstrated our power” or when lawyers were burnt alive in Karachi”this is revenge for attack on sher afgan niazi”. Is this how a president of a country behave. He does not even deserve to be a street thug.

I hope they publish the charge sheet, try him in court and hang him so that this serves as an example to future army dictators that “bloody civillians” are not to be taken lightly.

I have read the comments here very carefully and I also feel that those who are supposedly supporting Musharraf have very few good things to say about him. What they have is a deep hatred for civilian leaders who the people of Pakistan have elected. So, these commenters really have deep dislike for the people that the people of Pakistan like.

Jamila Qayoom says:

August 18th, 2008 5:11 pm

It was clear that the majority of Pakistanis, now including the military did not want Musharraf to stay. That does not mean that we like the main political party leaders, but by now Musharraf was a bigger problem than them. So it is good that he has left.

FARRUKH says:

August 18th, 2008 5:20 pm

Supposedly the people who are commenting are the more “educated” Pakisatnis. But they are not very intelligent it seems. All you have here is a lot of slogans and black and white ideas depending on who you like or do not like. Why do people have to be either perfect or totally evil. Those we like we think have no faults at all, and those we like we paint as if they are prophets.

Well, that is not how it works. Musharraf, Zardari, Sharif – they are all imperfect human beings. In a good system each could be good. What is clear is that these three could not work together. Someone had to go, makes sense that Musharraf had to leave since he is very very unpopular in Pakistan. Now please, for Pakisatans sake, if you care for thsi country give teh elected government a chance.

Qadir says:

August 18th, 2008 5:22 pm

I would also like to know. What happens to Musharraf now? Will he leave Pakistan? Where will he go? Or stay? Please if there is information on this please post it. Thanks.

Rizwan says:

August 18th, 2008 5:34 pm

Wow I was impressed with the ambassador Oo Pakistan in USA on CNN few minutes ago. Very nicely spoken. Credit should be given where it deserves. This is how new Pakistan should be.

jk says:

August 18th, 2008 5:43 pm

Humair > You logic does not work. Disliking a corrupt politician does not mean that you dislike like millions of Pakistanis.

FARRUKH > Of course people are giving them a chance. What choice do they have? People have elected them (again) just to give them a second (and third) chance. Let’s see what excuse they will come up with this time. Now that Mushy is gone, what is there to stop them from doing their job now?

disclaimer: I don’t support either mushie or ppp or pml. Unfortunately, it seems that they are all unqualified for the enormous job in front of us. I hope ppp and pml can prove me wrong.

Rehan says:

August 18th, 2008 7:06 pm

I’m glad he has left because Pakistani people have amnesia and forgot what truly inept, corrupt and bankrupt politics is. You’ve made your bed, now shut up and lay in it.

syed ali raza says:

August 18th, 2008 7:16 pm

there you go Pakistan is thrown at the mercy of 2 of the most corrupt & ego maniacal individuals ever, & that is an understatement, this moment should be remembered as the darkest day in Pakistan’s history , between Mr Zardari who devastated Pakistan’s credit score & her economy in mid 90s to Mr Nawaz Sharif who tried to impose the 15th amendment by declaring himself the AMIR-UL-MOMINEEN, Pakistan is stuck between a rock & a hard place & i also remember vividly the extra judicial mass killings in Karachi under the watchfull eye of Mr Aitzaz Ahsan who was Minister of Law then, & the physical attack on SUPREME COURT OF PAKISTAN by the PML(N). i am sorry but unlike most commentators not just on this forum i for one do not suffer from AMNESIA , one thing which differentiates great PEOPLE of honorable NATIONS from those who are not is the fact that the former learns from their past mistake & do better not to repeat it, i am sorry my friends we are not former but rather later, Pakistan is heading towards complete disaster in the form of Bulkanization, it may not even wait for the CIA projected 2015 to disintegrate into pockets of ethnic enclaves.

syed ali raza says:

August 18th, 2008 7:19 pm

Mr Hussain Haqani holds dual citizenship like most on this forum he will abandon the ship in a snap.

Rasheed says:

August 18th, 2008 7:28 pm

Congratulations to all Pakistanis and especially to those who used the power of democracy to bring about this change. Let’s hope that Pakistan will rise economically, politically and socially, to the level where the founding father(s) hoped to see it. Let’s hope that other countries of the world look up to Pakistan. They look up to Brazil for sports, Peace and energy endependence; to America for economic and scientific progress; to India for being the largest fair democracy, etc. Let’s hope that Pakistan gets respected for all the good reasons above and then some.

Let’s also hope that, wrong as Musharraf was in taking over the reins of the nation illegally; in the way he ruled; his unpatriotic associations with superpower(s), etc, he be given a face-saving exit. If charges are to be brought against him, he be treated with justice but humanely, the way anyone should be treated in a free and democratic state. I appreciate PM Gilani’s reasoned position on this issue rejecting the option of political vendetta. And if, as Richard Boucher has offered, he wants to go to his country America, he should be allowed to do so as well :)

Positive and diplomatic foriegn policy, amazingly free media, pakistan first and not the 10%, little bit more womens rights (still the lowest in the world) and fair elections are the achievements of Mr Parvez Musharaf will always have my respect.

Whoever is the next president (hopefully mr. Aitezaz ahsan)
though would not have a magic wand to change the fortune of a very stagnant pakistan in a blink but atleast should not have a speech impediment or the attention deficit disorder like the prime minister (god bless him).
Good looks always doesnt mean you have the brains too.

Vaz says:

August 18th, 2008 9:32 pm

Hi there,

Some in the news and in comments like here (ATP), talk of democracy and how it brought down Musharraf as it was Aristotle himself to have done this.
It was Musharraf who brought the country out of economic collapse in 2000, it was he who brought millions of dollar into the country and it was who helped press and electronic media flourish.
It was he who kicked Mr. 10 percent and Mr. 5 percent and many more of the like out of the country yet later gave them NRO to help them come back to make petty vendetta against him!
What has these two especially done for the country that Musharaf has not done!
Sharif gave women more power or Musharraf!
It was Sharif who left hundreds of passengers with a few min. of fuel in the air just because of one man Musharraf.
Yes, he may have done some bad moves but compared to the said politicians, he is a better politician.

Akbar Khan says:

August 18th, 2008 9:33 pm

Thanks to the dictators of Pakistan, both from past and present, for not letting democracy flourish in the country.

Had there been elections every 5 years in the last couple of decades, people like Nawaz and Zardari would have be out of polotics by now.

Justice Done says:

August 18th, 2008 9:41 pm

Musharraf paid the price of arrogance. In his last years he began to think that he personally was more important than all of Pakistan. Today he was taught the lesson he deserved.

Colonel Sahib says:

August 18th, 2008 11:04 pm

Musharraf’s most important legacy is that he has disgraced the Army for all times. Because of him now the Army is not just disliked but hated by so many people. That is bad for the Army and bad for Pakistan. For that reason I think Musharraf was the worst of our military dictators.

Today Pakistan has true democracy sad part is people picked the x criminal who has learned how to play with the emotions of the poor people of Pakistan.
This is a tragedy of Pakistan that there has not been one credible politician since the birth of Pakistan. If it was the case then Army would not have jumped in 4 times. Do not blame to Army, instead thank Allah for them being there for us.

Allama says:

August 18th, 2008 11:54 pm

That first picture of Musharraf is a very telling picture. The sadness in his eyes at leaving power is clear. I bet he too must be thinking “what if I had actaully left office with dignity 1 year ago, then we would not have come to this.”

Muneeb Hashmi says:

August 18th, 2008 11:59 pm

What about Jamia Hafsa and Lal masjid???
What about FATA attack???
What about Akbar Bugti???

As a Pakistani living in USA , We never felt proud of Pakistan but we did right before Lal Masjid Incident. I say Pakistan will never forgive Nawaz Sharif and Shahbaz Sharif because these brothers took advantage of Lal Masjid Incident and started their work to bring him down. They did not bring him down they brought Pakistan Down.

Hala says:

August 19th, 2008 12:18 am

If nothing, now the ex-President merits an apology from ex-Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz for being made so blinkered.

Here is what I wish for…. I wish that our politics becomes normal… that we stop having a new crisis every day… that we elect whoever people want and then remining people remain quiet until the tenure of this govt is done and then if they want someone else then they elect them…. that the military does what it is suppose to to: keep out of politics…. is that too much to wish for!

Farooq says:

August 19th, 2008 12:47 am

I would rather have been ruled by a democratic dictator than despotic democrats

mamoo says:

August 19th, 2008 12:47 am

The difference between former president and Gen(rtd) Musharraf and the two leaders of the political parties is that the former seemed loyal to this countries and led the country in what he percieved was right whereas the later are loyal not to the country but to the wealth they have stolen from this country (clearly evident from their body language).

Mujtaba says:

August 19th, 2008 12:53 am

Amazing how people who support Musharraf can find nothing to say about how he was good…. all they have is this hatred for Zardari and Nawaz Sharif. Since Pakistanis have elected them it does not matter what a few ISI types believe, the will of the people is superior to everything.

Yasser Latif Hamdani says:

August 19th, 2008 1:00 am

I am a little surprised by the barrage of Musharraf supporters here and the logic they are deploying… no doubt Musharraf did several good things for the country- he was instrumental in undoing the straitjacket that his military predecessor… but does that he should have hung on to the presidential post with such tenacity when the will of the people dictated otherwise ? And those of my fellow countrymen who are abusing Asif Ali Zardari… and corrupt politicians… the reason why these politicians are not ousted yet is because we haven’t allowed the process to work. How long are we going to depend on knights in shining armor… this is a mirage anyway.

Democracies are chaotic… but in the long run they bring their own method to madness…. much better than an autocratic military dictator. India’s politicians are no better than ours… but their system has ensured their stability. Let us put our faith in the system.

Also… this wasn’t about Jamia Hafsa (Jamia Hafsa was a legal action by the Pakistani state which was taken after exhausting all options) or about Islam etc … this was about an unelected ruler going home. If Musharraf is a fighter… he should stay in Pakistan, make his own party (or the faction of the PML-Q still willing to follow him) and fight…

Wadood says:

August 19th, 2008 2:18 am

When I first read the comments here I was appalled at how many anti-democracy and anti-Pakistan comments were here. My guess is that some of the ISI types whose job is to destroy Pakistan and support dictators were doing their propaganda here. But I guess its really a few frustrated people annoyed that the people of Pakistan have won out against their guy who are venting their frustrations here.

PAKISTAN ZINDABAD
DEMOCRACY ZINDABAD

Yasser Latif Hamdani says:

August 19th, 2008 3:58 am

In 1912, as a Congressman and an Indian Nationalist (and Pakistan’s future founder) Jinnah went to London to lobby for the Indian Representatives Bill calling for expansion of the viceroy’s council to include elected non-government Indian representatives with no reservations or privileges or differences. He was rebuffed and the bill was rejected by the House of Commons causing Jinnah to bemoan that India was the only country in the civilized world without representative rule.

The British logic was that Indians were not ready for it. Ofcourse a few years later they were forced to accept it. Today 96 years later, to read not some British imperialist but fellow Pakistanis- few and far between thankfully- the same logic is indeed ironic and shows the true measure of Pakistan’s failure.

The nay-sayers… are now pointing to Asif Ali Zardari’s corruption… the chance that the next president might be his sister… or Nawaz Sharif’s failings to point out why Musharraf’s departure was not a good idea… the reason why corrupt and mediocre politicians have ruled the roost and have not been ousted yet is because the system has not been allowed to work.

Let us have faith in representative rule … for god’s sake… we’ve tried military dictatorships for close to 34 years out of our 61 year history… if Pakistan is a mess… it is more the fault of these military rulers than civilians. Some genius came up with the sound byte that “I prefer a democratic dictator over despotic democrats”… what stupidity… first of all the “democratic” credentials of dictator Musharraf leave a lot to be desired… secondly even if this was the case… the “despotism” of civilian democrats can be taken as an example of the strength of a civilian politician… a civilian politician derives his strength from the people… a military dictator does so by virtue of military might… a democratic military dictator is a misnomer… and is actually a military dictator without control.

So lets have faith in representative rule… instead of looking for a savior in shining armor or Khaki what have you.

Zeeshan says:

August 19th, 2008 4:17 am

another dictator bites the dust!

Qasim says:

August 19th, 2008 5:10 am

Yasser Latif Hamdani, thanks for being one of the few sane and reasonable voices in here. Among the mindless Musharraf supporting drones, it is very hard to find credible argument.

Dictatorship has failed everywhere it has been tried. History can attest to that, and now we can add Musharraf’s name to the list. Even if we give credibility to the supporters of army rule, that democracy has not brought prosperity to Pakistan, and thus a dictatorial rule is necessary – we need only look at the most tumultuous years of Pakistan’s history to witness that those who brought Pakistan to ruin have been none other than army generals.

Like someone here said before, the ignorance on display here is astounding!

Faisal says:

> I would rather have been ruled by a democratic dictator

What exactly is a democratic dictator? That’s an oxymoron for you, right there!

Qasim says:

August 19th, 2008 5:19 am

After reading all the comments of Musharraf’s supporters, I made some observations.

First, they don’t even mention the controversies surrounding Musharraf’s rule! They talk of the free press, but they don’t talk of the abused TV reporters and journalists. They’re more interested in talking about how Musharraf made some admittedly much needed progress for woman rights, but sacked the judiciary and judges (guess what, if we don’t have a functioning law system, then what he did for women doesn’t mean an iota). In short, like Musharraf himself in his resignation speech, they believe in self-created delusions where Pakistan was some blooming nation of prosperity and flowing rivers of milk and honey. Go out in the streets of Pakistan and see what your beloved dictator has achieved! The truth is in front of you, time to face the facts and improve democracy in Pakistan just like Musharraf did by removing himself from the process.

Killer Billi says:

August 19th, 2008 5:29 am

> I

Mahmood says:

August 19th, 2008 5:30 am

Democracy Mubarak…Ab maza aae ga!

Qasim says:

August 19th, 2008 5:37 am

bumsqueak says:

> Is it possible that anti musharraf hysteria is primarily a result of reaction to rampant inflation, economic woes and people just seeking a

Steve says:

August 19th, 2008 6:25 am

To Mr. Mujtaba,

I have done the reshearch for all these points listed below, I live in a middle eastern country and for a company that is related to financial news . This article was not written by me but was writted by a reporter. So why don’t you give me 30 points of what these two new leaders that you support have done for the country….Enjoy

Mirza Rohail Baig

An effective and successful manager manages his company with whatever resources he/she has, and manages to gear it towards an unprecedented growth and prosperity, utilizing all internal and external factors. Musharraf has proven himself to be the manager for Pakistan!

I think the lesson for us all who no doubt at one stage were Musharraf supporters including me is best captured in my post on the topic see it here – http://tinyurl.com/5towhb

Particularly true are the words in the post that said ‘ the lesson for us all is that so called good-intentioned khaki kings like Musharraf serve only as an enemy within, they must be resisted from day one and must be treated as an enemy of the state, period’

Food for thought indeed.

Feimnallah

Wasim

Syed Saquib Saeed says:

August 19th, 2008 6:36 am

All people who wanted him removed please celebrate as much as they can. The rest who are not blind know what comes next.
It maybe the last celebration together.
As for Musharaf, think with his point of view. The state he was trying to fix and his intentions behind those steps (Whether the oucome was personal or for the state). Ghee seedhy ungliyon say nahi nikalta. Aur mulk kai haalat bhi issi tarah sahee hotay.

Mismanagement had started the day Zardari came to power. We all know what he was up to even when his hands were tied by his prime minister wife. Ab agay agay dekhyay hota hai kia.

Enwar says:

August 19th, 2008 7:43 am

I guess the few Musharraf supporters (actually, they are more like democracy haters) left are so heartbroken that they keep leaving message after message here since that is teh only source fo catharsis available to them. IN a sad way that makes sense. I guess Musharraf with his power hungry tactics let them down as much as he let down all of Pakistan.

RAHIM says:

August 19th, 2008 7:49 am

Musharraf will be remembered as the most corrupt of all of Pakistan’s leaders. Financial corruption is bad enough, but his sin was that he was so power hungry and wanted so much to stay in power that he killed the constitution and made all sorts of corrupt people stay in office just so that he could get power.

The lesson for Pakistan from Musharraf is that it is better to let democracy work even when it does not give you the people you want because people who come in with cute words and lies as promises will destroy teh country much much more, just like Musharraf did.

Muneeza Akhund says:

August 19th, 2008 8:04 am

Prof. Adil Najam, I heard you interview and discussion on this situation with the NPR program On Point. I thought you did an excellent job in the analysis. You really should think of having a podcast to go with this blog.

Adnan Siddiqi says:

August 19th, 2008 8:21 am

Musharraf got what he did after killing thousands of girls and guys at jamia hafsa in the name of terrorism. The nimrod of our time had forgot that Allah is more powerful than him. God eliminated him with humiliation. The guy who was darling of everyone has become a pain in neck for others and no one is willing to accept him.

Humayun Qureshi says:

August 19th, 2008 8:22 am

No one has ever looted and destroyed the institutions of Pakistan the way Pervez Musharraf did.

he not only destroyed the judiciary but he has totally destroyed the military. Under him Pakistanis lost faith in their own military. Even Zia could not do that. Today no one hates Musharraf more than the soldiers of the military (specially fighting soldiers in lower ranks).

The emergency he clamped and the constant banning of press and oppression of the media is his other legacy.

By the biggest legacy of Musharraf is his lying. I heard his speech here and realized that he actually believed that he did good! Poor delusional guy, does he not realize just how deeply people dislike him in Pakistan today!

Mahmood says:

August 19th, 2008 8:26 am

Musharraf is history…let’s focus on future looting and plundering. That will probably make our endless analysis of “who did what” a little less boring.

USMAN says:

August 19th, 2008 8:26 am

I think what happened in Pakistan yesterday is very good for Pakistan and makes me feel proud of being a Pakistani again.

A democratic parliament removed a tyrant dictator. And we the people did it without restoring to teh tactics that dictators use. No one was put in jail. No one was hanged. No one’s house was attacked by soldiers. We used the vote in the four parliaments and we established the principle that Pakistan belongs to the people of Paksitan and not to any one general or dictator.

Jeevay jeevay Pakisatn.

BUNTY says:

August 19th, 2008 8:30 am

I am amused at the demented logic of the MUSH-Haters on here…

If you like Musharraf you must be ISI or the devil itself!

Well I got news for you, its democracy in Pakistan now thanks primarily to……yep…….you guessed it…….Musharraf! and my right to differ from you is as important as your right to differ from me. I do not remember having that or a free media prior to 1999…..do you?

If you go with the formula of MAJORITY IS ALWAYS RIGHT! well majority of Pakistanis also elected BB and Ganja Khalifa twice and look where it took the country in the first place in the1990′s…….corruption, bankruptcy, bad fiscal management, declaration of Pakistan as a a failed state, we almost became a khilafat to be ruled by a civilian ganja khalifa! Lets hope that democracy is here to stay and that these politicians act their part sensibly and not like the intolerant Mush-hating twits putting their posts on ATP!

Qurban says:

August 19th, 2008 8:32 am

Like others I am also struck by how motivated people are by their hatred for democracy and how little faith they have in Pakistanis and the electoral choices Pakisatnis have made.

Their support for Musharraf comes only from their hatred for democracy and for ordinary Pakistanis. I guess it is those few who are willing to sell of Pakistan and Pakistanis that support Musharraf.

Pakistani awam says:

August 19th, 2008 8:37 am

Here is the saddest thing to note in the comments here.

Most of the people who supposedly “support” Musharraf, read their comments and they are saying also that they hate Pakistanis and Pakistan. They speak of Pakistanis and Pakistan as if they are someone else (maybe they are). They have no sense of identity and pride in Pakistan, just in their dictator.

That was Musharraf’s problem too. He did not care about Pakistan or Pakistanis too, only his own power. His supporters are exactly the same.

Qasim says:

August 19th, 2008 9:12 am

> Well I got news for you, its democracy in Pakistan now thanks

Democracy democracy democracy. Do Musharraf supporters even know what it means? Some say that they would prefer a “democratic dicatator” (whatever the *bleep* that is), others would prefer an outright dictator and others act like he was some godsent messiah who overthrew the democratic government of Pakistan and made it heaven on Earth.

So, why is it that Musharraf’s supporters claim that there was democracy in Pakistan? There was no free press, there was no accountability for his crimes and corruptions, and he removed the judges and judiciary at his will, instead instating his own cronies. Musharraf literally SOLD Pakistan civilians to America for cash. All of these points go virtually ignored by his supporters as if they never happened. And yet they go on to talk about a democratic Pakistan. Unless we learn from history we are doomed to repeat it! Please don’t ignore the facts and accept it! I have nothing against Musharraf personally, he is just another crook who looted the Pakistanis – the only difference is that this time it is much worse for Pakistan to get back on track.

Naadia Sultan says:

August 19th, 2008 9:15 am

I feel proud as a Pakistani today because for the first time people power and democracy removed a dictator through votes in the four provincial assemblies. No shots first, no one killed, no one arrested, no coup, no violence on the streets. All we did was to tell the tyrant that the people of Paksitan will no longer tolerate his lust for power.

This is the difference between those like Musharraf who snatch power through violence and treason an breaking the constitution and those who believe in democracy and the constitutional way.

The real winner here is Pakistan, democracy and Pakistanis and the rule of law and constitution.

Congratulations, Pakistan.

Altaf Raja says:

August 19th, 2008 9:21 am

I was just going through our beloved patriot dictators list of achievements since he came into power.

Found an interesting fact:

> Declares a state of emergency, rounding up opposition leaders at gunpoint.

What a wonderful democracy the general made.

God Bless Musharraf

Zafar says:

August 19th, 2008 9:38 am

This is a very balanced and thought-out piece on Musharraf’s legacy, in DAWN.

———

Musharraf

Usman says:

August 19th, 2008 10:25 am

People wanted democracy so here it is, with the two beloved politicians Mr 10% and Liar(Nawaz). Their parties have twice ruled Pakistan in democratic way and they both bankrupted Pakistan or killed opposition or set them up in false cases and manipulated the system.

Pakistan is now doomed

Ghazalla Fazal says:

August 19th, 2008 10:33 am

For those who used to ask what did the Lawyers movement and the long march achieve, I think now we have an answer.

The lawyers movement brought a non-violent and democratic end to a dictators rule.

Well done Pakistan. Well done Pakistani lawyers.

Watan Aziz says:

August 19th, 2008 10:50 am

Too bad that Musharraf also became just another dictator, just another person who was power hungry and will willing to destroy the country and its institutions including the Army just to stay in power. He could have chosen otherwise, but he did not.

This is why imperfect politicians are better than dictators who think they are perfect but always end up destroying the country.

You lawyers could not even restore your number one priority: Iftikhar Chaudhry. So please dont make tall claims of ending dictatorship. Mr Musharraf made wrong calculations in doffing his uniform, imposing a limited emergency and then conducting a free and fair election. If he had not attempted to bring democracy in the country, he would still be in power today.

You can now go and beg your politicians to restore your still defunct Iftikhar Chaudhry.

Amber says:

August 20th, 2008 12:16 am

To my friends who want to celebrate because President Musharrf resigned, I would now say it

Faraz says:

August 20th, 2008 4:53 am

Getting rid of Musharraf won’t do anything. I have a bad feeling that it will only make things worse. The next president will be a chamcha of Mr 10%.

We need some serious reforms in this country to allow real democracy to take root. And the first of these reforms should be to get rid of the feudal system. This needs to be our next priority.

MHQ says:

August 20th, 2008 5:06 am

Adding to the exhaustive list of Steve

May 2006: TORONTO (CP) — Barrick Gold Corp. [TSX:ABX; NYSE:ABX], the world’s biggest gold producer, says it’s open to further expansion in Pakistan – which it considers more politically stable than some countries in South America.

”Pakistan … from a mining point of view, from a business point of view, is among the better countries (to invest in),” founder and chairman Peter Munk told shareholders during the Canadian company’s annual meeting Thursday.
…
Barrick bought a stake in the Reko Dig copper-gold project in Pakistan for $100 million in February from Antofagasta PLC, a Chilean mining group.

When CEO Greg Wilkins went to Pakistan in connection with that project, Munk said, he was received by both Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz and President Pervez Musharraf.

”If a country has time to have its president – who’s in the middle of a, politically, highly charged region, courted by Soviets, China, Muslims and America – has time to sit down … with Greg to encourage him to invest money and invite a Canadian company to come in to develop the country’s resources, it shows you what a great country it is.”

@ Post-Musharraf Gold rush, now Zarbhutt’s are surely
up to another fraud.

Kiran says:

August 20th, 2008 4:08 pm

I don

Ali says:

August 20th, 2008 4:56 pm

Response to Ms Kiran’s comment:

Let us assume whatever you said is correct, does it mean to kill all those inocents young students with bombs and guns? what is the difference between government and them now? government acted in the another form of extremism, hope people understand.

auk says:

August 20th, 2008 10:06 pm

From BBC, this is what Aitzaz Ahsan said.

“It’s the Brits who have stitched the deal,” Mr Ahsan said.

“Mark Lyall Grant… won’t put a single man, a Britisher or non-Britisher in England or in the United Kingdom above the law and yet he comes here and puts the president above the law.

“Today giving safe passage out to Musharraf is allowing safe passage in to the next man three years down the line.”

He said that Mr Lyall Grant was a “key figure” in undermining the rule of law.

Yahya says:

August 21st, 2008 12:18 am

Musharraf will not be missed.

He put his personal ambition above his country. That is as bad as it can get.

If Musharraf put his ambitions before the country, he would not have conducted a free and fair election, turned over power and now resigned.

It is the misp

TRUTH SEEKER says:

August 21st, 2008 12:40 am

No, he did not hold a free and fair election, the election he held was totally rigged as was the referrendum. He could not rig the 2008 elections because he was not allowed to by others.

What he was was to declare emergency. To keep elections from happening. But he failed, just like he failed in most other things.

No, he did NOT hand over power. It was snatched from him.

And he resigned because he is a coward and knew that his sins were so bad that he could not face impeachment. So he begged for a safe exit and now holed up like a scared rat.

auk says:

August 21st, 2008 1:00 am

Aamir Ali, Just for the sake of not repeating yourself to death, go read this book, “The Way of the World”, by Ron Suskind. Or if you are too busy blogging, read the excerpts about Pakistan. Musharraf did not hold free elections. The credit for that goes to Kiyani, as ISI was asked not to interfere. Where were you all last year when Pervez Elahi (another one who was repeating himself to death) was insisting on getting Mush elected as President in Uniform.

It was the lawyers movement which got America worried, and they had Musharraf issue the NRO to let in BB to counter the civil unrest, which lead to the events of today (Musharraf’s legitimacy challenged in the SC, which forced him to declare emergency, which in turn lead to his shedding the uniform (his last mistake), which let Kiyani in, and hence leaving Musharraf incapable of rigging the elections). If Mush had a plan of his own, instead of following every word of what Americans told him to do, it may have been a different story altogether. So all you Mush lovers, go play Golf with him or something, and stop wasting everyone’s time.

Musharraf repeatedly said he would conduct a free and fair election and turn over power. He kept his promise. Gen Kiyani and all the other armed forces chiefs are Musharraf’s own handpicked men.

The politicians and their worshippers, like you, repeatedly lied that the elections would be rigged, after that was proven false, now you have made up some other trash theories. At this point however, I will actually encourage to keep believing in your delusions, as you dont have the “blame Musharraf” cushion anymore.

Ghulam Ali says:

August 21st, 2008 2:08 am

The real victory here is of democracy.

As others say this is a lesson to dictators. Their way is to kill people and put them in jail. In thsi case people pressure forced a dictator out.

Feels good to be a Pakistani today.

Fauji says:

August 21st, 2008 2:15 am

I am happy that Musharraf has left. he was only interested in his personal power as others have said and did nothing for the country. Only for himself to the very end. He also destroyed teh Army image. Now no one respects the army. which is why he is most unpopular amongst our jawans.

Shahid says:

August 21st, 2008 4:10 am

I dont understand the case when people are defending Lal Mosque and blaming it on government. I just read someone calling them innocent young students. Hello! Innocent if they are taking arms against you what innocent students. These students are not 10 or 9 they choose to take arm knowngly. Also can you tell me if a robber or a person who breaks a law or a rapist shouldnt he be punished either dont punish the law breakers then or dont blame the government.

Plus Lal Masjid situation, even you take american swat team or some best army or government there are bound to be some people killed. Plus as far as I remember these people inside were given a chance to surrender. And one of there leader tried to run wearing burka.

To be short dont say anything to government for this reason.

What Islam are they going to preach. One of sister here said a nice thing how can they preach islam when they themselves are sitting on an illeagal land. If they are so sincere with islam instead of buying weapons from the charity of people they could have rallied to buy the mosque for there school but they wasted money on bombs or whatever. Plus do you give zakah with haram money.

Please don’t support these people who dont know one bit about Islam or its proper teaching. A mullah doesn’t know Islam. And plus situation in Pakistan is not un-islamic. They should look at other countried. Actually we should be proud that Pakistani are more moderate conservative lot. If you look at Lebenon, Turkey and other they are also muslims but everything goes. I dont remember normal middle class Pakistanis to be so much out of the way form Islam.

Everyone knows it’s not Islam its all dirty politics by these students. There are millions of way to serve Islam! They just need to open a book instead or learning how to use a weapon!

Shahid says:

August 21st, 2008 4:29 am

One more thing.
Musharref power hungry, own ambitions, he did for himselves, Dictatior?

Am I missing something or what. Wasnt it Zardari who was called 10%, had swiss bank accounts and came back again to Pakistan just to take power. That b…tch only came to Pakistan to take over power!

Wasn’t it liar Nawaz Sharif have the same ambitions and only returned to Pakistan for power.

How can two parties who are up each others throats for as long as Pakistan existed can shake hands now. They only made peace for one reason just to kick Musharref out, and take power for themselves. So please dont use terms like democracy and all.

Plus I dont think Musharref held on to power for himself. Why does he need to hold on to power. Being a leader of a country like Pakistan is the most stressful job! And I dont see that he has made lots of money or lavish spendings for himself or his family. Are people blind or what?

Plus also I dont think Musharref held on to power for himself because there was not even a single able leader to hand over the power. “Aaa ja kay sirf do panidoo parties hain PPP ya phir Muslim League. And even if you give power to one of these parties ajj ja kay sirf do chooray leader hain ya zardari ya phir sharif.” If I was a president I would never ever give power to these people. Never!

Offff forget Musharref, Zardari, Nawaz…Who cares what we should be caring about is Pakistan and building or supporting the right people and encourage young people to come into politics.

I am not even pissed about PPP or ML-N it’s just as long as these people are in power the useless Fuedel system will never end and Pakistan will never improve! Never!

lion says:

August 21st, 2008 7:04 am

i totally agree with shahid .. ppl delusiond to believ musharraf held on to power for his personal benefits will c the true picture really soon .. who-is-who will b out in the light in no time ..

musharraf resigned not bcoz he is cowrd but bcoz he knew current gov is just wasting time, delaying the day when they will hav to answer the public, by satisfying them with the impeachment proccess ..

but now as he has resigned, they are fretting over wat, how, when n y to do some thing about the judges !!! .. musharraf was the only hurdle according to zardari few days ago .. now wat ?? .. .
he is just buyin tym to loot!!!

till the tym pakistani ppl wake up , he will b out of the country again !! …

ppl againt musharraf hav only 1 statement to giv “this is the victry of democracy !!!”

no 1 in the histry of pakistan held the question answer sessions like musharraf did !!! … no one!! infact he faced impeachment every day !!!
he was the most democratic leader !! ..

n now this new gov dzn giv a damn to wat v think … zardari simply gives the statement of his joice with a header “yeh 16 crore kee awaz hey ” ..
a prticular news channel ,blatantly against musharraf, is spreading the false picture of wat ppl of paksitan think .. according to a poll by a reputed news channel 72% ppl voted in favor of “musharraf shud not b impeached” ..

but discussion wnt open eyez .. tym will … as it has always been .. but this time plz b careful(take note if u hav amnesia,n u surely do) .. n learn a lesson,for a change !!!

MHQ says:

August 21st, 2008 7:25 am

To the defenders of Lal Mosque; do you know what happened in 1979 when a person claimed to be Mahdi and occupied the Grand Mosque of Mecca with 100s of armed persons (including women and children), declared Jehad and asked the Muslims to accept him as Mahdi? A grand operation was conducted by the Saudi government with the help of the army sent by your Ameer-ul-Momineen (Zia-ul-Haq) and the French army and the Mosque was cleared with a lot of bloodshed!
Dear! This kind of militant activity cannot be tolerated even not by the Saudi government at the holiest place. Would you condemn a similar operation if that was a Mandir and the militants were Hindus? Can India tolerate that in Delhi? If some Chritian militants occupy a church in Washington DC and openly challenge the writ of the government what will happen??

Tired says:

August 21st, 2008 12:21 pm

Why can’t people accept that there is good and bad in everyone. Musharraf made lots of mistakes but he also did some good things. Same for Zardari and Sharif. If we wait only for “perfect” people with no flaws then we will just fool ourselves and never achieve anything. Democracy needs people who can live with whoever the majority decides and then if they want to change that then they find and support someone else. That is what the process should be.

Mohammad Farooq says:

August 21st, 2008 6:03 pm

The killing and suicide bombings you see today is Musharraf’s biggest legacy for Pakistan.

let us at least stand united against these murderers.

Mujeeb says:

August 21st, 2008 6:29 pm

It was very disappointing for me to see that many distinguished newspapers including yours put on very shameful head line the resignation of the president. No matter how much someone might disagree with the policies and decisions that were taken by him, NO one should have the right to refer to the office of the president in ways that our ‘independent’ media has. He was after all the President of Pakistan and with head lines like “Mush quits with his tail between his legs” who are you trying to call out? the president of your own country!!! Instead of praising him for taking a decision that saved millions of Pakistani’s from further confusion and turmoil at the hands of this so called coalition govt which is a bunch of corrupt politicians put together after their ‘rebirth’ due to the NRO.

I hope and pray like a lot of young people like myself who will form the future of Pakistan that we are able to recover from the loss of a visionary leader like Mr. Musharraf who despite some wrong decisions did more good for the country in his 8 years than what these politicians have done in the 30 years they got. Thank you Mr. President and as you said in your speech “May God protect Pakistan”.

Farrukh says:

August 21st, 2008 6:34 pm

Musharraf has left office like a coward. making deals, leaving his job half-done and dicthing his friends.

That he turned into a coward is not a surprise, but it is sad.

Afridi says:

August 21st, 2008 6:42 pm

First, I am happy to see Musharraf go. There was a time when he was a solution, but he had become a problem.

Second, I am not a fan of Nawaz Sharif or Asif Zardari. But if they can start putting things right, including restoring the judges, I will be vary happy.

Third, I am willing to give these guys another chance, but Zardari has lied to the country too many times, if he goes back on his word again (by not restoring the judges or becoming President after saying many times that he will not) then he is no better than Musharraf for me.

Fourth, I actully want the coalition to break up but after judges are restored. Because you need a strong opposition for balance.

My Pakistan prosper. Ameen.

Haroon says:

August 25th, 2008 1:49 am

Does anyone know where Musharraf now lives? Not Presidency or Army House?

Amber says:

August 25th, 2008 12:20 pm

To all the people on the blog against Musharraf, I may now ask you what is the solution to the current crisis Pakistan is facing.

These corrupted people are only fighting for their personal interest rather than the interest of Pakistan. We need a strong man like Musharraf for this country and not a corrupt opposition. Are these not the same people who formed a collation to oust Musharraf, it

Now that a little time has passed maybe we should have a discussion on what Musharraf’s legacy will really be. Cowasjee and others think that he will be remembered better than he was removed

How I wish he had left a year ago and saved himself and the nation this indignity.

ASAD says:

September 4th, 2008 2:25 am

Is it just me or are others also surprised at the total silence about Gen. Musharraf. Where is he? What is he doing? What is he thinking? Would love to know.

umar shah says:

September 4th, 2008 6:39 pm

I am at a loss and cannot understand why Musharraf’s resignation and humiliation of the president’s office is a momentous day for Pakistan? I agree with Azharuddin, Musharraf should have left power a year ago or resigned before the controversial presidential elections of 2007. He made mistakes but to many he was the lesser evil. The undemocratic PPP and the bhutto family of which remains nothing but teenagers have been unleashed on our wretched nation. These teenagers now decide the destiny of our land and assign the highest offices of this poor country to their cronies and toadies. The leadership of their party is ‘handed’ down to the next bhutto as if this was a throne. Is this our destiny? to be ruled by foriegn trained fuedal teenagers and their corrupt father in the year 2008? and we rejoice that? and that too from people who live all over the world in democratic countries enjoying and savoring the freedom of those societies? yet being hypocritical when it comes to our own bhooka nangas and the poor and unfortunate? What have we become? Or inherently being Pakistani means we have double standards for everything? Shame on those who celebrate the state we are in today.

Ghaus Elahi says:

September 6th, 2008 11:30 am

I wonder what Gen Musharraf is thinking now seeing Zardari become President after him!

humaira says:

September 6th, 2008 11:42 am

the mess we are in including with Zardari is of Musharrafs making. He messed the whole system first by his coup and treason and then by the deals he stuck with Bhutto to stay I’m power

Jabbar says:

September 6th, 2008 5:12 pm

We replaced one bad guy (Musharraf) with another (Zardari). How sad.

Tamashbeen says:

September 6th, 2008 5:48 pm

mush must me thinking, “I wish I had not made the Presidency so strong!!!!”

Waseem says:

September 7th, 2008 1:15 am

Let me make a prediction today.

Within one year you will have Musharraf back as Pakistan’s leader.

Kamaluddin says:

September 8th, 2008 8:13 am

Of all the ways in which Musharraf messed up and robbed Pakistan for his personal ambition, the worst was creating the political mess that has now given us Zardari.

Remember, the NRO and the deal because of which Zardari is now in power was really Musharraf’s deal made to extend his stay in power after his uniform.

Musharraf will be remembered as the worst ruler we have had.

Aurangzeb says:

September 9th, 2008 8:54 am

I agree, I also think that Musharraf will be back within a year. One way or the other.

Kibriya says:

September 10th, 2008 7:27 am

If he was so good why did most Pakistani vote against him and his parties to throw him out?

Erum says:

September 10th, 2008 1:32 pm

what I can’t understand is his silence

Not like him

Adil says:

September 13th, 2008 2:03 am

BTW I liked him and his leadership, and I know for sure that there are many more like me who supported him. I understand that he too had his weak points, but then i think that we have to have the Lesser Sin. Just look what other options we have or had, and am sure time will tell that how big a blunder we did.

We don’t wanna see even your face please don’t come back to Pakistan we hate you ………………….
This life is too short just like a journey it’ll be ended soon and then you’ll have to pay what you’ve done…………….
and you owe to 170000000 people what’ll happen to you ????????